title: [Laboratory diagnosis of subacute and acute encephalitis probably of viral origin: seven years of experience].
abstract: The results obtained in the laboratory diagnosis of 609 cases of acute or subacute encephalitis, studied during a period of time of even years, is briefly presented. Diagnostic methods included virus isolation from stools and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF); specific serology in serum; detection of intrathecal production of IgG antibody; and, in the last two years, detection of viral genome sequences in CSF by the polymerase chain reaction. Significant results were obtained in 196 cases (32.2%) and the alfa-herpesviruses were responsible for a major part of them (77.5%). Furthermore, 18 cases were likely to respond to dual infection by both herpes simplex and varicella-zoster viruses. Epstein-Barr virus and Human herpesvirus 6 were found in CSF from three immunocompetent patients. Besides the current vaccination program, measles virus is still responsible for an important part (22/196, 11.2%) of cases of viral encephalitis.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Microbiología Diagnóstica, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Echevarría
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Casas
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: de Ory
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tenorio
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Echevarría
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lozano
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018792:Encephalitis, Viral / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000821:virology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D007074:Immunoglobulin G
vernacular_title: Diagnóstico de laboratorio en casos de encefalitis aguda y subaguda de probable etiología viral: experiencia en 7 años.